The next morning dawned clear and cold, mist curling around the village roofs as the sun began to rise. At the open field, Kael and Seren were already waiting, their expressions calm but sharp. Not far from them, three young hunters—Lyssara, Will, and Willa—stood talking quietly while stretching and checking their weapons.
Lyssara flicked her twin blades through the air, light catching on the edges. "Kael's been working me nonstop," she said with a sigh, though her tone carried a hint of pride. "He says I've finally stopped over-swinging. Now I just have to hit something harder than wood."
Will, stringing his bow, smirked. "At least you get to move around. Kael's been making me dodge swinging logs while trying to shoot at moving targets. I'm still getting smacked more often than I'd like."
Willa polished the edge of her shield, smiling faintly. "Seren says my breathing's finally matched my rhythm. But I still can't tell if that's a compliment or her way of saying I'm too slow."
Lyssara grinned. "If she didn't like what you're doing, you'd already know."
Willa chuckled nervously. "I hope you're right."
---
Meanwhile, at the training ground near the forge, Rogan was already drenched in sweat. He had started his drills before sunrise, his swings steady and deliberate, each strike carrying rhythm instead of raw power. Hunnt approached silently, his arms crossed as he watched for a moment.
"Before we go to the field," Hunnt said, "I want you to take off the weight training suit."
Rogan paused mid-swing, his breathing heavy. "Take it off? Are you serious?"
Hunnt nodded once. "You don't need it anymore. That suit's served its purpose."
For a moment, Rogan hesitated. The steel suit had been part of his life for so long that removing it felt strange—like shedding a layer of himself. But one by one, he loosened the clasps. The bracers dropped to the dirt with a deep thud. Then the chest plate. Then the heavy leggings.
When the last piece fell, Rogan straightened, his movements lighter, his breath sharper. The weight that had pressed him down for weeks was gone.
Hunnt watched his stance shift and nodded. "Good. You're faster now—stronger too. That's what control looks like."
Rogan tested a swing and felt the air whistle around his blade. "It's… different," he murmured. "Like the ground's no longer holding me back."
"Exactly," Hunnt said. "Now, let's go."
---
When they reached the field, Kael and Seren turned toward them—and immediately smiled.
Seren grinned. "I knew it. If Hunnt's the one training you, you'd come back twice as strong."
Kael chuckled. "Wait until he sees your new technique. Then we'll see who's impressed."
Seren raised a brow, her tone teasing. "You're on."
Nearby, Will and Willa had been whispering but both fell silent when they saw Rogan approach. The air around him felt different—calmer, heavier somehow, like quiet power waiting to move.
"Whoa…" Will muttered. "His aura's completely different."
Willa nodded. "It's like he's become someone else."
Lyssara froze. She had seen Rogan fight many times, but this—this was new. The raw, chaotic energy that once surrounded him was gone. In its place was something far more dangerous: stillness. His every step carried quiet confidence.
Hunnt gave a short nod toward Kael and Seren. "Sorry for the delay."
Rogan bowed his head to the others. "Good morning."
Will grinned. "Man, you've really changed."
Rogan blinked. "Have I?"
Lyssara crossed her arms, trying to sound indifferent but failing to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. "You look… different, that's all."
Willa smiled. "A lot different."
Rogan scratched the back of his neck. "Guess the training paid off, huh?"
---
While the trainees talked, the mentors stepped aside, lowering their voices.
Kael was the first to speak. "Are you sure about this, Hunnt? Monster training isn't a small step. They're barely out of basic drills."
Seren nodded. "That's exactly what I said. They're strong, but they're still green."
Hunnt folded his arms. "They're ready. It's time they learned what a real hunt feels like."
Kael frowned. "Solo or group?"
"Group," Hunnt replied. "Solo training comes later—when they've mastered Observation Haki and Rokushiki. Then we'll see how they handle fear."
Both Kael and Seren went still, their faces paling slightly.
From a few meters away, Will whispered, "Why do they look like they just saw a ghost?"
"I don't know," Willa said cautiously. "But I don't like it."
Rogan sighed. "Whatever it is, it can't be good."
Lyssara crossed her arms. "We'll handle it."
Will and Rogan exchanged a look. "Don't jinx it," they said in unison.
---
Kael exhaled slowly. "Alright, Hunnt. What kind of monster did you have in mind?"
"Something tough but not lethal," Seren added. "They're not ready for a wyvern."
Hunnt closed his eyes, stretching his senses outward through Observation Haki. The forest whispered around him—every heartbeat, every breath of wind—and then he felt it.
A deep pulse. Heavy. Wild.
"There," he said. "To the west. A beast-type monster. Moves like a gorilla."
Kael focused, extending his own Haki. His eyes narrowed. "A Gorvann."
Seren grimaced. "That's no small beast, Hunnt. It's fast, agile, skin like stone. Willa will struggle to defend, and Lyssara's blades won't do much unless she hits its weak spots."
Kael added, "Will's arrows will have to find openings between its scales. That creature knows how to dodge. It's smart."
Hunnt nodded calmly. "That's the point. Rogan's the only one who can deal real damage—but the others will have to support him. They'll learn teamwork, awareness, and fear."
Kael sighed. "So that's settled, then."
Seren glanced at Hunnt. "You're sure about this?"
Hunnt's tone was quiet but certain. "I am."
The three mentors shared a long look, then nodded in unison. "Agreed."
---
A short while later, the mentors approached the trainees waiting near the forest's edge. The air was cool and sharp, carrying the scent of wet soil and pine.
Kael stepped forward, his voice steady.
"Listen carefully. What you're about to do isn't a simple hunt. It's called Monster Training. You're not going out there to kill. You're going out there to learn. The goal is simple: survive, adapt, and understand. You'll face a living monster—one faster, stronger, and smarter than you. If you let fear or pride take over, you'll lose before the fight even starts."
He met each of their eyes in turn, his tone firm.
"You'll move as one. Every strike, every step, every breath must connect. Rogan—control your power. Lyssara—find weakness, not openings. Will—keep your aim steady and move with the battle. Willa—hold your ground, protect your allies, and guide their rhythm. This is not about who lands the final blow. It's about surviving as a team."
Hunnt rested a hand on his gauntlet. His voice was quieter, but every word carried weight.
"You're not here to slay Gorvann. You're here to prove that you can stand before it and still think clearly. That's the essence of the Path. Remember that… and return alive."
The wind shifted through the clearing, rustling the trees. The forest seemed to listen.
And with that, the monster training began.